Tari

Eason

Eason was a restricted free agent this offseason, but managed to stay with the Rockets without signing an offer sheet elsewhere. The 25-year-old power forward has been a regular bench option for Houston, appearing in 117 games over the past two seasons while averaging 11.2 points and 6.3 rebounds. Sometimes the best ability is availability and Eason would have more fantasy value if he could play a full season next year.

Eason recorded a complete stat line in his final game of the 2025-26, and potentially his last as a Houston Rocket. The fourth-year forward will be a restricted free agent this summer, and there should be some options for him to choose from. However, availability has capped his fantasy ceiling in recent seasons, and that may also affect his market in free agency. After appearing in all 82 games as a rookie, Eason has played in 60 regular-season games or fewer in each of the last three.

After dropping 20 points as part of a complete stat line in Houston’s Game 4 victory, Eason came through with another solid performance in Game 5. The Rockets forward shot 4-of-5 from inside the arc, with foul trouble being the reason why he played just 31 minutes. Houston will need Eason to remain on the floor longer for Game 6, especially now that Austin Reaves is back in the Lakers’ rotation. The Rockets host the Lakers on Friday, needing a win to force a Game 7.

Eason was one of four Rockets to record at least three steals in Game 4, and the team finished with a staggering 19 on the night. His five steals were a playoff career-high for the Rockets forward, who also rebounded nicely from poor shooting in Games 2 and 3. In those defeats, Eason totaled 15 points on 6-of-23 shooting from the field. And with Kevin Durant (ankle) injured, Houston can’t afford to have Eason struggling with his shot. They’ll hope that he can carry his Game 4 performance into Game 5 on Wednesday.

Eason and Clint Capela moved into the starting lineup with Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun resting on the last day of the regular season. Both reserves had outstanding games. Eason is known for scoring points in bunches off the bench, which should be valuable for the Rockets in the playoffs.

With Friday’s loss to the Timberwolves, the Rockets are locked into the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference. Since there isn’t anything on the line on Sunday, Reed Sheppard is the lone starter who will play. Tari Eason and Clint Capela should benefit from Durant and Şengün sitting.

Eason will play through this illness for a second straight game. He played 27 minutes off the bench on Thursday and contributed 15 points, eight rebounds, two steals and three triples. Eason should play a similar role in this game.

Eason played through the illness on Thursday against the 76ers, but he could be held out for the second leg of Houston’s back-to-back set. If Eason is ultimately sidelined, Josh Okogie and Jae’Sean Tate could earn some additional run.

Added to the Rockets’ injury report early Thursday afternoon, Eason is officially available to play. He’ll take on his usual role off the bench, which means that Josh Okogie and Jae’Sean Tate’s minutes are unlikely to increase.

Eason was not on the initial injury report released by the Rockets. If he’s unable to play, fellow reserves Josh Okogie and Jae’Sean Tate could see their playing time increase. They logged a combined 19 minutes in Tuesday’s win over the Suns, with Okogie playing 12.